John looks into the mirror, past his own stony eyes and towards Curtβs equally blue ones, up on a stool so he can help fasten the straps around Johnβs shoulders, anchoring the his pauldron. βTheyβd shoot me out of suspicion before I hit the gates.βΒ
Curt tsks, βIβd make enough'a distraction.β
John grins, turning and cupping both of Curtβs cheeks and pressing a smacking kiss to his lips. βItβs my wedding, Curt, ainβt that something to smile about?β
βA political marriage seems more like a business deal than a party to me.β
βHow about for all the wine weβre about to drink.β
βHuman wine tastes like shit.β
John flicks the end of Curtβs ear, the delicately pointed tips not all that sensitive but certainly vulnerable to attack.Β
Curt ducks, gracefully dignified, βYour sister sent a raven this morning. She knows youβre being insulted; if you want to call his play, she will stand by you.βΒ
John snorts, turning back to the mirror and examinging his armor. βAnd waste the party?β
If John has been allowed his way heβd be dressed in the lighter battle armor he was used toβ scarred and dented and decorated by every time it had saved his life. Heβd go out there and show them that even if peace was right around the corner, John and his kin were still ever-ready. Naturally, the notion had been vetoed and instead John had been buffed and shined and stuck into a suit of bronze colored armor carved all over with vines that tapered to drapes of berries over his shoulders, his chestplate. The chainmail beneath a white steel, his shoulder draped with a red cloth stitched with gold thread.
Theyβd woven blackberries in his hair. The scent drifts around him with each step, sweet and perfrectly ripe.Β
He glances at Curt again who was now busy fastening his own bronze armor, βA curious turn of events, Edith having your ear over mine.β
βShe says she figured youβd actually consider it if there were witnesses.β
βAlmost sounds like sheβs hoping Iβll rise to the bait.β
βHumans canβt even make peace without spitting in your eye.β
John dons his weapons belt; fits it with his sword and dagger. βItβs a political marriage, Curt. So what if they think theyβre offering me some goddamn offense. A prince is as good as a princess.βΒ
βMaybe after the nuptiuals, but theyβll be snickering all through the ceremony.βΒ
βSo let them. Iβm here to end this damn war; not give in to the opinions of small human lords and sycophants.βΒ
Curt settles down into one of the chairs at a table still covered with the remnants of their breakfast. He drags an armored finger back and forth across his top lip, eyes gazing off at some halfway mark, thoughtful. βWe fought against him, you know. At Red River; that commander that shattered our left flank.β